Seems to me there is a risk of some people tarring all others who don't share their opinion with the same brush, which usually means that they do not themselves have an objective opinion and so there is a catch 22 ...
But more than likely it's just bating and banter ;-)
Opinions are just that and we are all entitled to our own and it doesn't really matter whether other people agree or not.
My opinion is that I like my Mk2 Vee but like the Mk1 Vee front end also. I like the Mk1 172 front end even more
The Vee isn't everyones cup of tea, I think it is slightly underpowered, requires a limited slip diff but I love it none the less. I don't really feel comfortable with all the attention it gets, that is not why I bought it, but it looks very different and reminds me of group B rally cars, especially the 6r4 which I have a fondness for. When you really take a step back and consider what it is you can appreciate it more whether you like it or not ... A small hatchback engineered by a major manufacturer with a pedigree for making innovitive cars and with a modestly powered 3 litre V6 engine in the back and a purpose designed and functional body kit to complement it's specification and configuration.
Yes we can all take that for granted, like it or not, it is pretty unique and fun to drive and that is why many of us own them. In this day of bland german touring cars, japanese electronic turbo'd wizardry and neutral 'hot hatches' the Vee is a modern classic and refreshing deviation from the mainstream - like some other Renaults which many of us enjoy.
The Vee is also a very engaging car to drive on many levels. Front wheel drive cars are notoriously 'safe' to drive, they are designed that way and it is no surprise that most 'hot hatches' are also FWD. With lots of power they are hard cars to beat cause you can enter corners at silly speeds and scrub that speed off with understeer and feather the throttle with little or no risk of losing control. If you have an LSD (like the Megane) you are even safer and able to corner at higher speeds. Driven properly however, a high powered RWD car is the better configuration but they require more skill as the oversteer is more difficult to control for Mr Average - worse if you have a short wheelbase and poor steering lock, like the Vee. Which ironically makes it more fun for those of us who don't always like 'safe'.
Martin
